Female basketball finals open tonight

Semi-pro basketball. It may have fallen off the national sports scene, but that does not mean that the hardwood at the Belize City Centre is silent. While an ongoing inter-office competition has been getting much of the media spotlight, a group of city women have been living out their hoop dreams over the last couple of months. Now it’s time for the championship series of the 2005 WIN-Belize female basketball season. It opens tonight, and organiser Shelmadine Cacho says the players will be burning up the court.

Shelmadine Cacho, Organiser, Basketball Tournament
“Well, all exciting action. Our women are great basketball players and great people in general. I’m encouraging everyone to come out and support women’s basketball.”

Patrick Jones
“Which two teams are in the finals?”

Shelmadine Cacho
“You have Maria Chang Eagles and Sparks. These two teams were in the finals last year, so this year is going to be, it?s going to be hyped, I guess.”

Patrick Jones
“Now what was the reason for this tournament?”

Shelmadine Cacho
“Okay, the reason was to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS and family violence and also to promote healthy lifestyle choices among women.”

Patrick Jones
“Who are the players to watch in tonight’s championship?”

Shelmadine Cacho
“Well you have a lot of players. Both teams have very good players. You have Enid Dakers, from Sparks; you have Lacey Rosales; you have from Maria Chang Eagles, Shirley Codd, who is M.V.P. for this year; you have Earlette Reynolds… a combination of very good players.”

A total of six teams took part in this year’s competition. Cacho says that all of the players benefited from training on family violence and HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Tip off time for game one of the WIN-Belize championship is nine tonight at the Belize City Centre. Game two is on Sunday morning at nine-thirty and if a game three is necessary, it will be played next Wednesday night.